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Lot Essay
The present Nautilus is a superb representative of the exceedingly rare ref. 3700/11 in stainless steel and gold, launched in 1980 and produced in a very small series only. According to research, less than 300 examples of the model were made, making it much rarer than its stainless steel counterpart.
The two-tone 3700/11 offered here for sale has never appeared in public before. It is preserved in excellent overall condition, further enhancing its overall appeal and making it a highlight for any collector of rare timepieces.
The water-resistant Nautilus ref. 3700
The case patent design of the first Nautilus, reference 3700/1, was registered on 23 April 1976. It comprises two parts, the main body and the bezel, surrounded on each side by “ears”. The two parts are both secured by lateral screws. A rubber seal sits between the bezel and case body, thus compressed when subject to water pressure, and forming a perfect watertight seal. From 1976 until 1980, the cases were made for Patek Philippe by Favre-Perret SA, Le Crêt du Locle.
In 1980, Patek Philippe started manufacturing cases and bracelets in their Ateliers Réunis workshops, and the Nautilus then changed its reference number to the new ref. 3700-11.
The new stainless steel used is called "Chrome-Nickel-Moybdenum steel" and the deployant clasp of the bracelet has been reduced to 16 mm., from 18 mm. of the previous reference.
For illustrations and descriptions of the Nautilus see Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Wristwatches, Volume II; Patek Philippe Steel Watches by John Goldberger and A Study of the Patek Philippe Ref. 3700 “Nautilus” by mstanga.
The two-tone 3700/11 offered here for sale has never appeared in public before. It is preserved in excellent overall condition, further enhancing its overall appeal and making it a highlight for any collector of rare timepieces.
The water-resistant Nautilus ref. 3700
The case patent design of the first Nautilus, reference 3700/1, was registered on 23 April 1976. It comprises two parts, the main body and the bezel, surrounded on each side by “ears”. The two parts are both secured by lateral screws. A rubber seal sits between the bezel and case body, thus compressed when subject to water pressure, and forming a perfect watertight seal. From 1976 until 1980, the cases were made for Patek Philippe by Favre-Perret SA, Le Crêt du Locle.
In 1980, Patek Philippe started manufacturing cases and bracelets in their Ateliers Réunis workshops, and the Nautilus then changed its reference number to the new ref. 3700-11.
The new stainless steel used is called "Chrome-Nickel-Moybdenum steel" and the deployant clasp of the bracelet has been reduced to 16 mm., from 18 mm. of the previous reference.
For illustrations and descriptions of the Nautilus see Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Wristwatches, Volume II; Patek Philippe Steel Watches by John Goldberger and A Study of the Patek Philippe Ref. 3700 “Nautilus” by mstanga.